Dude, you just signed up, and call me a troll?

I have better things to do. I'm here b/c it's likely my next car will be a 350Z, and I want to learn more about it. Geez, some people act like it's impossible to appreciate both the S2000 and the 350Z!

 

just commenting on the Z sharing the FM platform. I believe the FM platform was designed for the Z. Just b/c the g35 was released first people got all their panties in a bunch.

 

The FM platform was designed to be a versatile base for a variety of vehicles, incl. the Z. Nothing wrong w/ that, it's a good chassis and doesn't appear to be compromised by its versatility.

 

if you've read any of my other posts im a complete JOKER. take it easy man, we're all cool here, and the s2000 is SWEET i just like to **** people off

 

• Shelby Cobra
• MGs
• Dodge Viper
• Porsche Boxster
• Chapperal (hope I spelled that right... 60's vintage race car)
• S2000
• TVR
• Jaguar J-type

I could go on... but I think you get the point... since when are sportscar and convertible mutually exclusive???? As far as I have heard, original Cobras will still drive circles around most modern "sportscars". In that case, a hard top was the exception (only 7 made) not the rule.

New and old, there is always a market for both coupe and roadster sportscars. Typically, a coupe will be more rigid and handle better, but not always (unless you are comparing two versions of the same car).

 

most of the classic ferarris were 'verts.

 

Just revisiting...

About weight and Rigidity: The hard top will be lighter, that is a given. Look in any books and you will see this to be true.

About having a stout frame: There have been huge advancements in unit frame construction. however, they cannot equal the strength on a car that is connected across on top and bottom. any thing that is removed from the top area (read that upper unit body reinforcement) must be made up for in the lower section. The forces to contend with are magnified when applied to one plane where they were controlled in two planes. Just for giggles... hold a broom by the end of the handle, away from your body, and place the sweeping end on a table. My guess is you could hold it there for some time. Now take the bristles off the table and assume the same position with broom. how long can you hold it. yup cause forces like weight and torsion took huge increases. My point in this ramble is how much material must be added to the remaining frame to stabilize a car body after removing the roof? So much in fact, that they would never do it. Thats right -they know the car will have some flex and they plan for it.

One more test - I used to think I knew what a rigid car body felt like when driving. Yeah I was wrong and here is how I found out.
Place you finger on the door gap(inside or out) and then pull through some twisties. YIKES! did you feel that? OMG! here is a better one for convertibles. Roll down window and place your finger at the join of the top header bow and windshield header. Now pull through some wistes. Yes that movement you feel is constantly acting on your windshield frame. Kinda scary. GL

Oh - I am getting the Roadster! just not sure what to do with the tourer yet.